Dennis Gaviola

Article (news)

Katrina Domingo

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — The Bureau of Immigration will revert to the use of landline phones and build video call booths to limit the access of foreign detainees to mobile phones and gadgets, the agency’s spokesperson said on Monday, days after a Russian vlogger claimed to have been able to use his mobile device despite being in detention in the Philippines.Unlike convicted criminals, foreigners who are awaiting deportation in the BI’s detention facility are allowed to call their families or lawyers from time to time, but they are not allowed to use the mobile devices for other purposes, Immigration spokesperson Dana Sandoval told state television PTV.“Specifically po for the use of mobile phones, mukhang kinakailangan na pong magkaroon ng mas matindi pang paghihigpit doon sa facilities natin dahil mukhang inaabuso po ang paggamit ng mga mobile phones na ito,” she said.“Isa po sa nais i-implement ni Commissioner Viado ngayon is to remove na iyong use nila ng mobile phones nila, ng mga cellphones nila. Gagawin na lang na medyo low-tech by allowing them to use their landlines, the landlines instead of cellphones,” she said. “Maglalagay na lang po ng mga video calling booth para namo-monitor din kung ano talaga iyong ginagawa nila, kung ginagawa ba nila ito for the actual purpose that they’re supposed to do… to be doing o may iba pa silang kalokohan na ginagawa.”The adjustments were announced following Russian vlogger Vitaly Zdorovetskiy’s claim that he was able to record several corrupt practices in the detention facility by paying off some BI personnel.Initial investigations showed the Russian was able to smuggle in a mobile device with the help of a Filipina whose foreign husband is also detained in the BI’s facility.“Nagkakaroon ngayon ng review of the procedures, the security measures na ginagawa po sa BIWF (Bureau of Immigration Warden’s Facility) dahil maraming kailangang i-tighten na mga areas for improvement nitong ating facility, and this will be flagged itong mga nakikita natin na mga areas for improvement ay aayusin po iyan after po nitong pag-aaral na ito,” Sandoval said. “Totoo pong may nakikita tayong problema ngayon at dahil may nakikita tayong problema, may gagawin pong aksiyon ang Bureau of Immigration,” she said.“Hindi lang po ito basta ipagkikibit-balikat ng ating ahensiya dahil nakita po natin na mayroong mga certain liberties na inaabuso po ng ilang mga tao diyan sa loob ng ating facility.”Malacañang earlier said that it has accepted the courtesy resignation of the BIWF warden, while 2 deputy wardens and 3 personnel have been removed from their posts.

The Bureau of Immigration will revert to the use of landline phones and will build video call booths to limit the access of foreign detainees to mobile phones and gadgets, the agency’s spokesperson said on Monday.

The Bureau of Immigration will revert to the use of landline phones and will build video call booths to limit the access of foreign detainees to mobile phones and gadgets, the agency’s spokesperson said on Monday.

‘Back to landline phones’: Immigration tightens detention policies following Russian vlogger’s looming corruption expose

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‘Back to landline phones’: Immigration tightens detention policies following Russian vlogger’s looming corruption expose

Katrina Domingo,

ABS-CBN News

Published January 26, 2026 07:37 PM PHT

Read More:

Bureau of Immigration

Dana Sandoval

Vitaly Zdorovetskiy

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